"I mean some days I'll be sore and some days I'm hurting more than other days but for the most part I'm getting better every time, " says McLoud.

Eventually, he will graduate to more advanced equipment. Then he has a different kind of graduation in mind.

"I want to go to college and get a degree in history and be a history teacher for a high school," says McLoud.

The road to recovery is a long one and it has many tempting exit ramps, but Cpl. Justin McLoud plans to keep going forward one step at a time. He'll give his future the same thing he gave his country, everything he's got.

"You just can't help but just feel proud," Amber says.

There will be a benefit for Cpl. McLoud and his family at the VFW Post on Church Road in Arnold on July 2. For more information, call Brad Denny 314-630-4789.